The Athletic's Dane Brugler Mock Draft.

[*Synric*]

Dane Brugler does a complete 7 round mock draft every year here is who he picked for the Bengals.

Quote:1. Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
The Bengals do things their own way, but it would still be a shock if Burrow is not the top pick to Cincinnati. Nothing more to say here.
33. Cincinnati Bengals – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
65. Cincinnati Bengals – Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State
107. Cincinnati Bengals – Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan
147. Cincinnati Bengals – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
180. Cincinnati Bengals – Harrison Hand, CB, Temple
215. Cincinnati Bengals – Azur Kamara, Edge, Kansas
The Bengals have not been shy about their interest in Kamara, scheduling multiple meetings and attending his pro day. A native of Ivory Coast, Kamara is still very raw, but he is a 4.5 athlete with plenty of potential.

I would be pretty happy if it turned out this way.

[BURROWorBUST]

I'd be ok with this, too. To say that Kamara is raw is a bit of an understatement. If any team is interested in him, they should wait to sign him as a free agent. I wouldn't spend a draft pick on him.

[SadFaceBengal15]

I’d take this draft in a heart beat.

[BenZoo2]

I could live with that. Qb and ol addressed. One lb. the depth. Don’t know the last two guys.

Would like to see a wr and another lb


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[*psychdoctor*]

Where is the WR?

[Whatever]

(04-13-2020, 12:18 PM)Synric Wrote: Dane Brugler does a complete 7 round mock draft every year here is who he picked for the Bengals.


I would be pretty happy if it turned out this way.

No WR makes this a hard pass for me.  Jones is a project, but he's a great scheme fit and OT has a very high positional value.  ADG in the 3rd is bad, imo. He was considered a 3rd-4th rounder before he broke his ankle.  I prefer Breedson's teammate Onwenu and the top of 4 seems like  a reach for either.  Hand won't make the roster, so that's basically a wasted pick.

[*Synric*]

(04-13-2020, 01:18 PM)Whatever Wrote: No WR makes this a hard pass for me.  Jones is a project, but he's a great scheme fit and OT has a very high positional value.  ADG in the 3rd is bad, imo. He was considered a 3rd-4th rounder before he broke his ankle.  I prefer Breedson's teammate Onwenu and the top of 4 seems like  a reach for either.  Hand won't make the roster, so that's basically a wasted pick.

Dane Brugler is usually dead on where players are projected. He's one of the best draftniks out there.

[Au165]

(04-13-2020, 12:18 PM)Synric Wrote: Dane Brugler does a complete 7 round mock draft every year here is who he picked for the Bengals.


I would be pretty happy if it turned out this way.

I have been high on Jones here for a long time so I would be okay with him at 33. I'm a little worried about the lack of addressing WR with the future of Ross and AJ unknown though, and in this class it would seem like a mistake not to atleast dip your toe in. Pick 147 I think would be the swap out for me because there is still going to be some value there at WR.

[*Synric*]

(04-13-2020, 02:07 PM)Au165 Wrote: I have been high on Jones here for a long time so I would be okay with him at 33. I'm a little worried about the lack of addressing WR with the future of Ross and AJ unknown though, and in this class it would seem like a mistake not to atleast dip your toe in. Pick 147 I think would be the swap out for me because there is still going to be some value there at WR.

I was thinking Tyrie Cleveland or Isaiah Coulter at 180 instead of Harrison Hand.

[*ochocincos*]

Solid mock, which is to be expected from Dane.

[Essex Johnson]

I do like this draft without a OSU Olineman and a Michigan lineman.. OSU has Michigans number except at Oline in the NFL

[Big Boss]

Not taking a receiver from this draft class is a bold move, but I'm not against it. You can always try your luck with an UDFA, a post-draft FA, or a camp cut.

Provided our receivers stay healthy, we already have a very talented group. We can address the position in earnest next year once a couple guys walk. I'm all for them giving up a receiver so they can double-dip at offensive line. Keep Burrow upright.

[Essex Johnson]

(04-13-2020, 01:18 PM)Whatever Wrote: No WR makes this a hard pass for me.  Jones is a project, but he's a great scheme fit and OT has a very high positional value.  ADG in the 3rd is bad, imo. He was considered a 3rd-4th rounder before he broke his ankle.  I prefer Breedson's teammate Onwenu and the top of 4 seems like  a reach for either.  Hand won't make the roster, so that's basically a wasted pick.

ADG has actually been moving up the board of late especially after senior bowl with the minor surgery he had after. We had a meeting with him last week i believe.  Not sure if he will still be there in the 4th.. but I would love if Baun is there in 2nd.. then take BPA Oline in 3rd come back with ADG in 4th or move up in middle to late 3rd to get him... That would give us two hard playing Lbs which we need

https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/04/09/2020-nfl-draft-most-underrated-prospects-jalen-hurts-darrynton-evans-john-hightower/9/

[Essex Johnson]

I go WR over TE in 5th.. Sample was picked last year in 2nd.. got to give him time to develop.. Ross is a question mark and AJ not under contract though we could still have him for another season if needed with another franchise

[Au165]

(04-13-2020, 02:15 PM)Synric Wrote: I was thinking Tyrie Cleveland or Isaiah Coulter at 180 instead of Harrison Hand.

He had Johnson from Minnesota going like two picks later, that would be my target. He is a super high upside guy.

[Whatever]

(04-13-2020, 03:32 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: ADG has actually been moving up the board of late especially after senior bowl with the minor surgery he had after. We had a meeting with him last week i believe.  Not sure if he will still be there in the 4th.. but I would love if Baun is there in 2nd.. then take BPA Oline in 3rd come back with ADG in 4th or move up in middle to late 3rd to get him... That would give us two hard playing Lbs which we need

https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2020/04/09/2020-nfl-draft-most-underrated-prospects-jalen-hurts-darrynton-evans-john-hightower/9/

My reservation is that there is no reason for him to move up the board.  He was ranked in the 3rd after the Senior Bowl and before he failed his medicals at the combine and went under the knife.  He has an injury and they couldn't do athletic testing, so he should drop, not climb.  He hasn't done anything to warrant his stock increasing.

I don't hate the kid as a prospect, but I don't love him either.  Imo, 65 is way too high for a guy that is injured and never was seen as a solid 2nd rounder.  

[CJD]

I think ADG is a little rich at 65. I'd be much more comfortable with him 20 to 30 picks later (if we could trade down, that'd be amazing). He is coming off an injury which made it so we couldn't see him workout at the combine, is a small school player and, in an ideal scenario, will never be a 3 down backer. I liked him as a 4th round prospect because a 4th round pick who plays on 3rd and maybe 2nd down is a nice investment. A top 70 pick on a 1 to 2 down backer is a lot less attractive. If we were to go with a pass coverage specialist at 65, I'd rather it be Dugger or maybe Chinn (who would very reasonably be gone) who can play nickelbacker but can also play safety, offering him more positional versatility.

I like the value of Josh Jones at 33, but I am not convinced that we are going OT in the 2nd round. Unless the Bengals coaches are just pulling off an amazing smoke screen. They seem genuinely comfortable with Fred Johnson and Hart at RT. I could see us going OG in the 2nd as slightly more possible, but even that seems unlikely. Given that Jones is a small school player who did get a big bump due to the Senior bowl, I am wondering if he will require a year before he can play any meaningful time, which may work out, but I would still look for 33 to be

I like Bredeson, but again seems early. I don't think he will likely compete for a starting role in his rookie year, which is kind of what you hope for if you're spending the first 4th round pick on a player who can only play guard. The final 3 picks are very meh to me (although you don't typically expect much from 6th and 7th rounders). I don't get the TE pick. We got plenty of TEs. and CB is a luxury pick this year. Would have much rather have a WR with one of those two picks or, more ideally, in the first 4 rounds. Not taking a WR in a class this deep is absolute insanity.

Overall, I'd be pretty disappointed with this draft.

[*Synric*]

This is from Dane Brugler's final Draft Guide. (The guide is an excellent read btw. He breaks down about 30ish prospects per postion group).

Quote:5. AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER | Appalachian St.  6014 | 224 lbs. | rSR.  Thomasville, N.C. (Thomasville)  9/21/1997 (age 22.59) #35  

BACKGROUND: Akeem Davis-Gaither (GAY-thur) was a four-sport performer at Thomasville, lettering in basketball, baseball, football and track. He started at defensive back as a freshman and sophomore before moving to linebacker for his final two prep seasons, also seeing snaps at running back. As a junior, Davis-Gaither recorded 93 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three forced fumbles, earning all-county. As a senior, he earned second-team all-state honors and was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, finishing with 115 tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles.  A two-star linebacker recruit out of high school, Davis-Gaither was the No. 82 inside linebacker nationally and the No. 59 recruit from North Carolina. He attracted offers from Ball State, Charlotte, Miami (Ohio) and Old Dominion, receiving one Power 5 scholarship offer (Boston College). However, Davis-Gaither felt a connection with Appalachian State, which was located close to home (two hours west of Thomasville) and was about to begin its first season as an FBS-level program. He has a 1-year old daughter. His father (Keith) was a four-year starting defensive back at Elon before starting his coaching career, currently serving as the

STRENGTHS: Elite length for the position…field fast and can really run when he has a chance to stretch out his stride…agile feet on the edge to skirt blocks, gain proper leverage and contain outside runs…unyielding pursuit skills and his motor never spurts…always chasing at full speed and closes with short-area burst…uses his long arms to lasso runners on the move…velvet feet in coverage with the smooth turn-and-run skills to play man-to-man down the seam…aggressive, confident competitor, which rubs off on his teammates…called an “extra coach on the field” by his defensive coaches at Appalachian State…started every game the last two seasons posting triple-digit tackles both years.

WEAKNESSES: Lean-framed and lacks desired bulk for NFL linebacking duties…inconsistent take-on player, struggling to scrape down the line of scrimmage…gets pinballed in a crowd and must rely on his fundamentals to work through contact and stay off the ground…quick to trigger, but needs to be more reliable as a finisher…bad habit of leaving his feet too early or arriving too hot, falling off his target…inconsistent coverage player due to spotty instincts, which leads to spacing issues and missed opportunities to make plays on the ball…suffered a stress fracture in his right foot during the 2019 season, requiring off-season surgery (March 2020) that sidelined him for part of the draft process.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Appalachian State, Davis-Gaither lined up at outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s 3-4 base scheme, playing an overhang defender role. Despite his tweener size, he owns the length and speed that NFL teams covet, projecting as discount version of Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons on day two of the draft. Probably the best “Tag” player in the neighborhood growing up due to his lower body quickness to avoid blocks, Davis-Gaither plays with terrific closing burst once he unlocks and goes. His relentless play style is a strength, but his motor is stuck in overdrive at times and he would benefit by adding more discipline and control to his game. Overall, Davis-Gaither needs to fine-tune his take-on skills and develop his cover instincts, but his twitched-up athleticism and confident play speed help mask his technical flaws, projecting as a subpackage linebacker as a rookie who should shine on special teams.  

GRADE: 2nd Round      

[Gdale_Bengal]

I don’t know anything about Brycen Hopkins. I don’t like any TE right now because the bengals already carry 4 right now. Unless he’s going to be another big bodied wr the pick doesn’t make sense. But Jones, gaither, bredeson and Hand are all really nice picks. I think if gandy-golden were the pick this would be the best on paper draft in the last 5 years

[Nicomo Cosca]

(04-13-2020, 12:42 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: Where is the WR?

Yeah, not loving that draft. Best WR class in 20 years. Gotta take advantage.